Bill of Rights

December 12 is a big anniversary for those of us in Pennsylvania: It’s the day the James Wilson led an emotional effort to approve the proposed U.S. constitution in the Keystone state, in a big step toward the eventual ratification of our Founding document.

On September 25, 1789, the First Congress made a highly-anticipated move in arguably the most important congressional session in history, when it agreed on a list of constitutional amendments known as the Bill of Rights.

On June 8, 1789, James Madison addressed the House of Representatives and introduced a proposed Bill of Rights to the Constitution. More than three months later, Congress would finally agree on a final list to present to the states.